Our strategy
We believe that we can support anyone experiencing gambling harms, no matter where they’re at in their journey. We’re hopeful that we can create a safer society free from gambling harms for everyone.
Gambling is more accessible than ever before.
Almost half of adults in GB have gambled in the past month, with 1.4 million estimated to be experiencing ‘problem gambling’1. Gambling harms do not just impact the person who gambles. Our data estimates that up to 4.1 million adults might be negatively impacted by someone else’s gambling, with a further 2.2 million children living in households where an adult is experiencing ‘problem gambling2.
We are committed to making sure gambling harm is seen and recognised as a public health issue. As part of this it is important people across the country are aware that gambling can be addictive and that the harm from it can affect anyone.
Our vision of a society where people are safe from gambling harm anchors our work as an organisation.
This vision is based on a collaborative approach, which acknowledges the many other organisations, networks and individuals, including those who have lived experience of gambling harms, that they have a key role to play across the system, or have potential to do so in the future.
A core focus of our work has been to ensure gambling harms is recognised as a public health issue and has long-term, transparent and consistent funding to address it. This ambition was realised when the government announced the introduction of a new statutory levy to address gambling harm.
As part of the new statutory levy, three new commissioners for gambling harms research, prevention and treatment have been appointed and means that, as expected, the work historically delivered by GambleAware will now transition to the UK government and new commissioners across England, Scotland and Wales.
We have advocated for the introduction of a statutory system for many years and are proud of our contribution to its implementation. Alongside this, we are also proud of the impact GambleAware’s prevention and treatment activity has had in supporting tens of thousands of people over the years, through our national campaigns and our commissioned partners, including the National Gambling Support Network.
Prior to the introduction and announcement of the new statutory levy, we developed a Strategic Framework setting out five key outcomes we wanted to achieve. These were reflective of a coordinated whole system approach, while keeping a focus on individual need and acknowledgment of the impact gambling harm has on families, communities and society.
The Strategic Framework was developed with our Board of Trustees, our Lived Experience Council and our commissioning teams.
The Strategic Framework recognises that reducing gambling harms at a societal level requires a prevention approach, including the following three areas:
Interventions such as national public health campaigns and education.
Interventions such as workforce training, debt advice services, Tier 1 interventions which provide information and advice such as the helpline, Tier 2 treatment which includes screening and referral to specialist treatments, extended brief interventions, triage and aftercare.
Tier 3 treatment which is structured, psychosocial treatment delivered on a community-based, outpatient basis, and Tier 4 which is residential treatment.
The strategic framework sets a clear path on how we deliver against our charitable objects:
The advancement of education aimed at preventing gambling harms for the benefit of the public in Great Britain, in particular young people and those who are most vulnerable, by carrying out research, by providing advice and information, and by raising awareness.
Working to keep people in Great Britain safe from gambling harms through the application of a public health model based on three levels of prevention: primary— universal promotion of a safer environment; secondary — selective intervention for those who may be 'at risk'; and, tertiary — direct support for those directly or indirectly affected by gambling disorder, by carrying out research, by providing advice and information, by raising awareness, and by commissioning the provision of effective treatment, interventions and support.
We have identified five long-term outcomes that we believe will collectively lead to a society free from gambling harm. These are:
You can find out more about our outcomes in our Annual Report.
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